Chris Canty called it a “fall from grace’’ and he was on the money. Forget dominance, this was often a jail break.

There was never, ever any hint that the opposing running game (a bloated 129 yards per game) was under control. There was never, ever any sign that the secondary could clamp down, allowing a ridiculous 13 pass plays of 40 or more yards. Most shockingly, there was never, ever any semblance of a formidable pass rush as the ballyhooed “best line in the NFL” failed to deliver.

Jason Pierre-Paul’s sack total dropped by 10 to 6 1/2 and he’s got to deal better with all the extra attention. Osi Umenyiora stayed healthy, but, despite his protestations, he’s a situational pass-rusher. Justin Tuck’s demise (four sacks) is more troubling, as he was a shell of his former self. It looked as if Linval Joseph inside wore down.

It seemed as if the linebacker corps was deeper and more athletic than ever, but the results weren’t there, although Chase Blackburn always showed up and the expected starting battle with Mark Herzlich never materialized. Same cannot be said of Michael Boley.

The defense’s only redeeming feature? The ability to force turnovers (35), led by surprising Stevie Brown (eight INTs).

Antrel Rolle plays all over the field and is hurt by getting moved around so much. Corey Webster in the past has been a reliable cornerback but he was alarmingly ineffective. Prince Amukamara showed signs why he was a first-round pick, but he needs to stay on the field. Doubtful injury-plagued Kenny Phillips will be back, opening the door for intriguing Will Hill. D

Offense

Strange deal. This team scored 429 points, second-highest total in franchise history, averaging nearly 27 points a game, yet the stretch run was an inconsistent mess.

Eli Manning failed to complete 60 percent of his passes for first time since 2007 and failed to throw for 4,000 yards for the first time since 2008. The premature talk of him being in the MVP race quickly waned as the attack went limp.

The lack of big-play ability from Hakeem Nicks, who caught only 53 passes and three TDs battling through foot and knee injuries, was a big setback. That left Victor Cruz (86 rec., 1,092 yards, 10 TDs) to fashion a Pro Bowl season but take a pounding along the way. The lack of a consistent No. 3 receiver was evident; rookie Rueben Randle showed promise but needs more urgency.

Somehow, Ahmad Bradshaw got to 1,015 yards on achy feet and a sprained knee. No one runs or plays harder, but the wear and tear is grinding him down. Speedster first-round pick David Wilson escaped Tom Coughlin’s doghouse to run for 358 yards and show he’ll be a force in 2013. It could be a fine three-headed running back committee if hard-luck Andre Brown (eight TDs) comes back from a broken leg.

Solid audition by TE Martellus Bennett (55 catches), who should be re-signed. The line allowed an NFL-low 20 sacks, but age is creeping in. Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe are free agents; a young stud is needed as an anchor. B-

Special teams

David Wilson broke all sorts of records with 57 kickoff returns for 1,533 yards and he’s a factor every time he takes the ball out of the end zone. But punt returns continue to be a myth for this team.

Lawrence Tynes had a prolific year hitting 33 of his 39 field goal attempts and finished with 145 points — second in the league. He missed three in the final three games, though, and that is bothersome to the coaching staff. Punter Steve Weatherford put in a strong season with a career-high 47.5-yard average and a solid 39.4-yard net average, another career high. B+

Coaching

It was disconcerting to hear Tom Coughlin admit he was completely baffled as to why his team failed to compete in late-season losses in Atlanta and Baltimore, and the failure to translate practice performance to game-day performance has to be figured out.

It sounds crazy to suggest, but does Coughlin have to get tougher with his players? He says dealing with failure is getting harder and harder and so his longevity likely depends on producing another playoff winner in 2013.

Kevin Gilbride’s offense scored a ton but was not consistent enough, but it’s the same plays he calls in good times and bad so it’s more about execution than adjustments. Perry Fewell’s defense wasn’t anything special for much of last season before a fearsome playoff run and was ranked 31st this year. His reluctance to send pressure by blitzing — not wanting to expose his shaky secondary — did not cut down on big plays allowed and he rarely got the pressure he needed with only four rushers. B-